Nautical Style with a Twist

Every once in a while,I yearn for the sun,sand and the sea.But,since I cannot really go to work in my Boardwalk Shorts,I resort to the next best thing.Nautical Stripes.

The key to wearing nautical stripes is to pair it with a nice solid colour.I chose a white and played it up with colorful accessories but it looks amazing with a pop of classic red or yellow too! Then add some chunky goodness somewhere and you are good to go sail the seas.Of people.In my case.

But if you are heading for the real sea.I just want you to know that I'm very jealous.You stole my daydreams.

Top: Zara

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Skirt: Platinum Mall,Bangkok 

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Bangles: Assorted,Thrifted and Gifted

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Necklace: Curio Shop in Darjeeling

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Linking Up to The Pleated Poppy and Cappucino and Fashion for this post!

This Time For Africa!

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to the wonderful country of South Africa.I was amazed at the huge amount of similarities between our countries and the people I encountered.Besides sharing a similar colonial history,it was quite enlightening to know that this was a country where apartheid was abolished legally only in 1994! When we think of racial discrimination in such a large scale in today's world,we consider it something that had happened in the past before our time.It was shocking to see a place where the people got their rights only a few years back.The amazing thing was this sordid history had not embittered them.The people I met were open,friendly and looking forward to a brighter future.There were a few people were not that nice too,but not more than any I had encountered in any foreign country.The landscape and wildlife of the country will just take your breath away.They had some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen.I have shared some pictures of my beautiful journey below and hope that it inspires you to travel to South Africa to explore for yourself.

V&A Waterfront

Kango Caves

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Knysna Waterfront

Spier Wine Farm

 

Dock for Seal Island

Boulders Beach

All pictures are copyright of @Shreya Jhunjhunwala.

Pardon the picture-spam of this post guys! But,I just couldn't resist.:D
Have you ever been to South Africa?What was your favorite place to go?

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The Bridal Files : Sangeet/Engagement

Hello Lovelies!

Hope you've been enjoying reading The Bridal Files.The outfit I am posting this day is my Sangeet and Engagement (Mudda-tikka) one.Since,I was wearing a typical traditional red wedding lehenga,I wanted to go for an offbeat colour for my Sangeet.Also,since my in-laws were gifting it to me and they were staying in Canada during my engagement period,I had little less than one month to purchase and do the fittings for my Sangeet Lehenga.So,it was a bit of a hunt to find a lehenga in a short period of time which was different and readymade with minor alterations!
My friend referred me to this manufacturer who she was highly impressed with and I decided to check it out after the first few days of browsing were uneventful.The best part was that she said that he only takes an appointment through reference as he usually catered to other boutiques and did not do much of individual orders.I tried a few of the typical pinks and yellows before trying this one on and it was LOVE since I put it on.The colour was perfect and it seemed like I could actually DANCE in it.Also,it was inspired by a Sabyasachi design,And not just one of the cheap imitations which are a dime a dozen but real,quality workmanship.I did not even look at another Lehenga after trying this one on! :D

Lehenga- Wholesaler in Park Circus,Kolkata

Jewellery- Tanishq( Gifted by in-laws)

Bangles-Radhas,Kolkata

Shoes- Hamlyn,Kolkata

MUA- Don from M.A.C.,Kolkata

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The Bridal Files: Youngsters

I would like to excuse myself by saying that my recent nuptials were the reason that I have been AWOL...But really I was mostly being lazy and procrastinating.But I'm back now! And better late than never right?

I now have a truckload of pictures to share thanks to my wedding.Nothing like a wedding to make you a complete narcissist.I do not however have too many pictures of my outfit for the youngsters party.Mostly because we spent half the time getting couple shots clicked and the other half well,I can't really publish.It was a cocktail party after all.

   

I bought my dress from my trip to Europe last summer.I had figured I could easily find a romantic,long dress in Paris,Right? Wrong! Everything I found in Paris was either too expensive and if it fit my budget then too simple.I wanted a dress that would be comfortable enough to dance in but still look dressy and classy.I finally found this dress at a store in Zurich called Modissa.If you are ever in this town,you MUST visit this shop.It is four floors of design goodness! The top floor was dedicated to cocktail dresses and that was where I found this beauty.Infact,I liked so many of their clothes that I felt like I was in Candyland.The rest of the floors had their inhouse label and some well-known international designers as well.They even had a bridal section which was by appointment.They also did my alteration in 2 days which more than what I could have asked for!

I had a Hawaiian Luau themed cocktail party for all of my friends and cousins.It was a pleasantly chilly Kolkata winter evening at the rooftop of a city bar.We handed out these floral leis and Hawaiian slippers (For tired high heeled feet:Thank you Pinterest!) as favours and had tons of fun posing at the photo booth.Fruity cocktails and finger food set the perfect mood for an amazing evening!

Dress,Clutch and Shoes: Modissa,Bahnoffstrasse,Zurich

Bracelet: Bangkok Night Market

Earrings: Gifted

How To Travel Smart!

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky

are like shooting stars?

I could really use a wish right now,wish right now,wish right now.

The lyrics of this song haunt me as I get that familiar itch to leave it all behind and travel to a new destination.I love the break that holidays provide from our mundane everydays and we enter an alternate dimension where you are relaxed all the time.It's ok to go clubbing with a sunburnt nose.And missing the prepaid breakfast buffet because you slept in is also acceptable once in a while. I love the feeling of excitement when you step out of the airport to get a cab and all of the sudden the jet lag disappears and your camera starts clicking away.I love how we learn something new everyday and chat up to random locals which we would never do at home because we're always in a hurry.I love the sights and smells and sounds of the unfamiliar.

I have picked up some tips on how to travel smart over the years and would like to share them with you.I am in no way an expert and I hope to learn a lot more from the journeys yet to come but I hope that these might help you to plan your next trip!

• Do not go for a package tour! Having a few hours of 'leisure time' in a day is not my idea of sightseeing.I also hate the idea of getting up at 6am on a holiday so that you don't miss your bus.Plan a holiday according to your interest.You might want to spend more time at a park than a museum.Planning your own itinerary gives you the freedom to do that.                                                                      
• Unless you're at a beach destination and all you want to do the whole week is sunbathe and eat...Do not go for an all inclusive resort.An AI has buffet meals which can get a little boring after a while and you don't really get to go out to explore the destination much.
• Compare your flight,hotel and bus bookings at a website like Skyscanner which gives you the rates available online at different travel websites and lets you choose the most affordable option without compromising on the quality.Also,get a quote or itinerary from your local travel agent.It's free advice and they are always happy to help! Sometimes they have special concessions for certain destinations.You can combine online booking and booking through agents to tailor make a perfect holiday!hop
• Pack only what you need.You don't want to ruin a good vacation by mourning something important you left behind.Avoid carrying food and alcohol.They are illegal in some countries and you might have to pay a hefty penalty fee if caught.Check the laws of the place you are travelling to.For example,its illegal to carry alcohol and religious idols into the Maldives.And,No hand luggage except your purse is allowed while coming back from Srinagar.
• Check the weather prediction before you pack.Sometimes the average temperatures are unpredictable.Always carry a sunscreen,sunglasses,a cap,an umbrella and a light jacket or Shawl.When we went to Istanbul in the middle of the summer,we were freezing on the first day because the temperature dipped suddenly due to unexpected rainfall.
• Make a list of places you want to visit along with their contact details and timings before you go.A lot of tourist places are shut on a weekday and we tend to lose track of what day it is when on a vacation.If you are a vegetarian like me,make a list of the vegetarian or veggie friendly places.Tripadvisor is your best friend.
• Invest in a good camera.Even if you don't like clicking pictures of yourself,the best way to preserve memories are through pictures of the places you see.Smartphones just don't cut it,no matter the Megapixel.
• Talk to the locals.Its sometimes better to break free of the itinerary and take the advice of someone who knows the place best.
• Spend some time alone.Sometimes when I travel in a group,I like to take a day alone relaxing.I read a book at a coffee shop,lounge around the beach or stroll around downtown.It feels amazingly peaceful and you notice a lot of things that you would have missed if you were with someone about the place.
• Travel by public transport.It's much more interesting and cost efficient than taking a cab!
• Switch off your cellphone,put your feet up and just relax!

I leave you with an assortment of my favourite pictures from my trip to Kenya! A surreal experience that I would love to have again or maybe explore other parts of Africal.Happy Travels!

P.S.-This post is my entry for #travelsmartwithskyscanner Contest by Indiblogger. All images are subject to copyright.

A Spring Fling

When I think of spring,I think of florals (Sorry,Miranda Priestly).And this outfit is what my typical weekend Spring outfit would be like.Casual,Comfy and Colourful. Since Spring days are limited in Kolkata before the much dreaded summers begin,we try to make most of whatever little bit of decent weather is left.Soon,it will be too hot and humid to even want to go outdoors!
I wore this outfit for a relaxing afternoon out last Sunday  The floral pants cheer up the most boring days and about my obsession for pink you will soon find out with the upcoming posts. Everytime,I see something in the most in-your-face bright pink...I just have to pick it up.If you give me an option between any color and pink.It will always be pink!I had planned to put on pink nail paint also but didn't get the time and I really wanted to do another outfit post soon.The makeup is minimal with just a hint of Kohl and Lipbalm as I don't like too much of a fuss on weekends unless I'm going somewhere dressy.Do let me know what you think?

Top-Zara

Pants-India Kitsch

Necklace- Mosaic FA

Bangles- Here & There

Earrings-Forever 21

Heart Ring-Accessorize

Slippers -Tally Weijl

Sunglass Case(Used as Clutch)-Claire's

P.S.- Did you know about Bloggers Against Social Injustice(BASI)?It is a great initiative by a group of bloggers with a fashion for fashion and social change.If you want to make a difference but don't know how...Do join in!